It has been a great year of 150th Anniversary celebrations at ICO! What a joy and privilege to welcome so many ICO alumni and friends back to campus and to our various events as we celebrated together; the first and only college of optometry to reach the 150-year mark! One of the hallmarks of our ICO experience was in being together and accomplishing something great – achieving our Doctor of Optometry degrees. I have heard from so many alumni reminiscing about their time at ICO and in Chicago, and the many memories and friendships attached to their ICO experiences. Nearly each person I spoke with raved about the remarkable improvements they observed as they toured the ICO campus during their visit. From the establishment of the Dr. Robert and Lena Lewenson Pediatric Center (2019), Dr. Alfred and Sarah Rosenbloom Center on Vision and Aging (2015), the EYEPOD laboratory floor (2009), and the Residential Complex (1995) to renovations of Brady Hall (2022), the library (2014), and the lecture center (2011), the physical changes and improvements to the ICO campus have been a source of pride for all.

In the year leading up to 2022, our Board of Trustees challenged us to make the year more than just a great party. We set goals to be inclusive by inviting and scheduling events that would gather and include as many people as we could in our celebrations. We accomplished that. We set a goal to raise needed funding in support of ICO’s mission. We are making great progress on that. We set a goal to write a new Strategic Plan setting the College’s course for the next five years. We accomplished that.

Over the course of the past year we have celebrated 150 years at the following events:

• Employee Service Year Anniversaries

• CE Programs

• Grand 150th Anniversary Open House in June

• Leadership Circle Members Reception

• Alumni Cruise of the Greek Islands

• Reunion events

• Alumni Reception at American Academy of Optometry

Our celebrations will continue into early 2023 with two special CE programs. One to be held on February 5 and our Annual Joint Symposium between the faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry and the University of Chicago Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences to be held on April 2. You can register to be part of these excellent educational programs by participating either in-person on ICO’s campus or through our virtual, online program.

If you would like to help us wrap-up and put a bow on this festive year, I encourage you to make a special tax-deductible contribution to our 150th fundraising efforts in support of ICO’s three pillars: Research and Education, Patient Care in the Illinois Eye Institute, and Service to our Community.

It is a true honor to serve as ICO’s President during this historic year and I want to thank our alumni for making ICO what it is today. I have truly enjoyed our many conversations, reminiscing with you, and celebrating our historic alma mater. I look forward to working together in setting ICO’s course for what the next 150 years will bring!

My very best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday season!

Warmly,

Mark K. Colip, OD ’92